Electric-lamp cluster.



Vif/nasses No. 76 0,376.` PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

R. B. BBNJAMlN. ELECTRIC LAMP CLUSTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, v1902.

N0 MODEL.

f j f UNITED STATES` :Patented May 17,1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN PORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC-LAMP CLUSTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,376, dated'May 17, 1904:.

Original application led December 9, 1901I Serial No. 85,206. No. 130,935.

To all wil/077?, 7125 muy conce/fla:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi- 5 nois, `have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in ElectricsLamp Clusters, of

which the following is a full, clear, concise,

and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of I this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric-lamp clusters, and has for its object to provide a construction for a device of this character which will be simple, eilicient, and

I cheap of manufacture.

The invention consists of the details of construction, arrangement,and combination of parts as hereinafter described, and more parn tieularly pointed ont in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which like reference characters designate similar and corresponding parts, Figure lis a partial sectional and partial broken-away view of a device, showing one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewmade in accordance with my improvement, which is partcularly adapted for lamps of the Thomson- Houston type. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of a cluster particularly adapted for three lamps, in this instance the casing being removed to show the interior construction and arrangement of the rings. Fig. Al-is a sectional view of the device which is partly illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a view showing a construction similar to that illustrated in Fig.

I, a modified form of bushing being shown,

however.

In the drawings, a base I is shown, made of Some non -conducting material, preferably porcelain, having' a central vdependingprojection I, to which are preferably secured by a bolt 2 radial spring contact-lugs 3. One of these lugs is provided with a binding-screw 3 to connect one of the conductors thereto.

Upon said base is also mounted a plurality of Divided and this application led N'oveinberilZ, 1902. Serial (No model.)

annular disks 4:, suitably connected at their approached or adjacent ends and connected with the base, preferably by screws 5 passing through the base and entering screwthreaded apertures 6 in inwardly-bent lugs 7, formed integral with the rings. These rings are all preferably stamped from a single piece of metal and then bent so as to assume the position shown. It will be observed that the rings as thus arranged will be in a position which is inclined or outstanding to the base. One of these rings is provided with a lug 8, having a binding-screw 8 for connecting thereto the other conductor. W'ithin the aperture in each of said annular disks is mounted a thimble or shell 9, preferably screw-thread ed, which has a lateral flange 9" to bear upon the inner side of its supporting-disk. These shells or thimbles are screw-threaded within corresponding'bushings l0, of, preferably, insulating material, which are adapted to secure or support in position an inclosing casing Il, provided with openings Il, through which project said bushings. This inclosing casing is loosely slipped upon the base and. is solely held in position by the bushings. The openings also permit the bases of the lamps to be passed through the casings and inserted into their supporting means.

The thimbles or shells heretofore described are for receiving the bases of incandescent lamps, and it will be noted that the circuit will be in parallel, the communication being from the radial contact-lugs, which engage the central terminals of the lamps, through the lamp to the outer contact, thence through the receiving shells or sockets to the other conductor by the way of the annular disks or rings.

In solne of the previous forms of cluster made by me I have mounted the threaded shell upon a truncated plate spun out of metal, so as to form oblique sides through which the openings'may be made for the passage of the 90 lamp-bases. In accordance with one feature of the present invention as above described affords a number of advantages.

faces, as is the case when a spun plate is employed. Moreover, the plates may be bent into smaller compass,so as to bring the lamps closer together. In this manner a base of smaller diameter may be employed and a more compact structure secured, which compactness is a very desirable feature in cluster work. Again, spaces are left between the rings for the passage of the leading-in wires, and these spaces also permit the placing of the holes through which thescrews pass to secure the parts in position within the circumference described by the outer ends of the contact-plates. This permits the making of the base of small diameter.

As shown in Fig. 2, the invention may be employed with the Thomson-Houston form of lamp, a central screw-threaded stud, as 12, being utilized to secure the lamp in position and to form the center contact, while the other contact for the lamp is formed by the ring plate 4. The form ofthe base is substantially the same as in Fig. 1. The plates 4 are mounted upon it in a manner similar to the plates 4 in the previous figure. The plates, however,

' have smaller apertures therein and themselves preferably form the outer contacts, with which the ring terminals carried upon the ends of the lamps are adapted to engage. A suitable connecting-lug 13 and binding-post 14 are provided in connection with one plate 4, which conveys current to the other integrally-connected plate 4. Similarly the plate upon which the center studs 12 are mounted is provided with an extension 12, and a binding-post 12b is secured to the projection of the base 1 by the screw 12. The cap 11 is here supported by means of a screw 15 threading into .the same, as shown, the said screw being supported by insulating-washers 1.5,carried upon the connecting portion of the plates 4, a jamnut 16 being provided upon the lower side of the washer. This method of supporting the cap or cover may be employed in any of the other forms of the invention instead of the method described in connection with them. The cap 11 has openings to accommodate the lamp-bases when they are in position.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a cluster in which provision is made for three lamps. The insulating-base is of substantially the same form as in Fig. 1, except for the central project-ion. The ring contact-plates which carry the ring ers in position.

or shell contacts for the lamps are integrally connected together at' their inner ends by the portion 16L and are of annular' or ring form, as shown in Fig. 3. Their outer ends are bent outwardly, and suitable screws are adapted to extend through the base and into the same to secure the plates to the base. The central connecting portion of these plates is provided with a lug upon which is mounted a binding-screw, to which the leading-in wire is adapted to be connected, the latter being led through a suitable aperture in the said base. The inner or center terminals are formed of radially-extending spring-tongues 17, connected integrally with their supporting-plate 17, which is mounted upon the solid central portion of the base by means of a screw. A metallic washer 18 is placed over the contact-plate and is provided with a bindingscrew 18u. A suitable insulating-washer 19 is then placed over the washer 18, when a nut upon the bolt or screw 20 is secured in place, thus holding the center contacts and the wash- The connecting portion of the contact-plates is provided with an aperture 21, Fig. 4, through which the said screw extends, the latter being threaded at its end into a nut secured to the cap 22 of the cluster. To remove the cap, it is only necessary to remove the insulating-bushing vand to rotate the cap 22 in the proper direction. It will thus be seen that the screw serves the double function of securing the center contacts of the lamps in positionand of supporting the cap for the cluster. In this instance and the former cases suitable insulating-bushings are provided for the shell-contacts of the lamps, and apertures are formed in the insulating-basel for supporting-screws. Additional holes, such as 23, may also be provided in the base for the leading-in wires. The lamps are in parallel in this form of the invention. Also the center contacts are adapted to be connected to one side of the circuit, while the ring contacts are connected to the other. The location of the lug for the binding-screw may be changed, as by placing it upon the side of one of the rings or in any other desired manner.

It will be understood that the various means for supporting the caps are interchangeable without material alteration except to adapt them to the particular form and arrangement of cluster and that suitable holes are provided in the bases of Figs. '3 and 4 whereby they may be readily affixed to a suitable support.

In Fig. 5 is shown a construction in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the bushings, however, projecting through the openings in the outer shell and having lateral flanges which bear upon the outer side of the inclosing casing. By securing the bushings upon the thimbles or shells they are adapted to clamp said shells to the rings and also to engage the outer casing and in amauner clamp IOO lIO

them to the base, thus more securely holding the same in position than in the manner shown Patent, is-

1. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of lamp-holding devices centrally arranged thereon, spring center contacts arranged centrally oi said devices and having a common central portion, and a pin passing axially through said central portion into said base to secure said center contact in position.

2. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of lamp-holding devices centrally arranged thereon, a forwardextending projection on the inner face of the base, spring' center contacts arranged centrally ot said devices and having a common central portion resting upon said projection, and a pin passing axially through said central portion to secure said center contacts in position.

3. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, oi` a plurality of lamp-holding devices centrally arranged thereon, spring center contacts arrangedcentrally of said devices beyond the inner ends thereof and having a common central portion, and a bolt or rivet extending axially' through said central portion and said base to secure said center contacts in position.

4. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of tlat cdntactplates each having an opening therein, said contact-plates being integrally connected to each other, substantially as described.

5. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, oi' a plurality oi contact-rings arranged upon said base and integrally connected to each other, substantially as described.

6. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, ot' aplurality of contact-rings arranged upon said base and having' a common connection which is formed integrally with each ring, substantially as described.

7. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, oit' a plurality of integrallyconnected contact-rings arranged upon said base and means for securing said rings in position, substantially as described.

8. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality ot' contact-rings arranged upon said base at an incline to each other, said rings being' integrally connected, and means for securing said rings in position, substantially as described.

9. 'In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of contact-rings secured thereon in an outstanding position, said rings having their outstanding portions suitably connected to each other, substantially ,as described.

10. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, oi a plurality of contact-rings secured thereon in an outstanding position, said rings having their outstanding portions integrally connected, substantially l as described.

11. In a lamp-cluster the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of integrallyconnected contact-rings arranged away from said base, and means supporting said rings from saidbase, substantially as described.

1Q.. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality ot' contact-rings arranged upon said base at an angle to each other, said rings having their approached ends integrally connected and their diverging ends secured to said base,substantially as described.

13. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality ot' contact-rings secured thereon and at an angle thereto, said rings being inclined toward one another 'from said base and integrally connected at their approached ends, substantially as described.

14. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, ot' a center .contact for the lamps arranged upon said base, an d a plurality of integrally-connected contact-rings surrounding said center contacts through which the lamps maypass in order to engage said center contact, substantially as described.

15. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact for the lamps mounted thereon, and a plurality oit contact-rings through which the lamps are adapted to be inserted in order to engage said center contacts, said rings being suitably held in position and integrally connected, substantially as described.

16. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact for the lamps mounted thereon, and a plurality oi'inclined contact-ring's through which the lamps are adapted to be inserted to engage said center contacts, said rings being integrally connected at their approached ends and secured to said base at the other ends, substantially as described.

17. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, ot' a plurality of contact-rings arranged in an outstanding position to said base, said rings having their portions adjacent to the base secured thereto and their outer portionsintegrally connected,

and a center contact adapted to engage the4 lamps through said rings, substantially as described.

18. In a lamp-cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact 'for the lamps mounted thereon, a plurality of integral] y connected contactrings surrounding said center contacts through which the lamps are adapted to be inserted to engage said center contacts and suitable means for holding IOO TIO

the lamps in operative position, substantially as described.

19. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact for the lamps mounted thereon, a plu-,

rality of integrally connected Contact rings through which the lamps are adapted to beinserted to engage said center contacts and lampreceiving shells carried by each of said rings for holding the lamps in operative position, substantially as described.

20. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact mounted thereon, a plurality of integrally-connected contact-rings through which the lamps are adapted to be inserted to engage said center contacts, means for holding the lamps in operative position and a casing inclosing said rings,substantiall y as described.

21. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact mounted thereon, a plurality of integrallyconnected contact-rings through which the lamps are adapted to be inserted to engage said center contacts, means for holding' the lamps in operative position, a casing for said rings and bushings carried by said rings and adapted to support said casing in position, substantially as described.

22. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a center contact mounted thereon, a plurality of integrallyconnected contact-rings through which the 24. In an electric-lamp cluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of integrally formed contact plates mounted thereon, and a binding post or terminal integrally connected with said plates.

25. In an electric-lampcluster, the combination with a suitable base, of a plurality of contact-plates mounted thereon, said platesV beinu arranged in inclined ositions u on said o .e u

base and integrally connected at their approached ends, anda binding-post integrally connected with said plates.

26. In a lamp-cluster, a base, a plurality of suitably-supported shells and associated contacts, insulating-rings surrounding said respective shells, and a detachable casing or cover having openings opposite each shell through which said rings extend, and held in place solely by said insulating-rings, the edge of said cover loosely engaging said base, substantially as described.

27. In a lamp-cluster, a base, aplurality of suitably-supported threaded shells and associated contacts, threaded insulating-rings surrounding said respective shells, and a detachable casing or cover having openings opposite said shells through which the outer ends of said rings extend, and held in place solely by said insulating-rings, the edge of said cover loosely engaging said base, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. Vitnesses:

EDWIN B. H. TOWER, Jr., M. R. RooHFoRD. 

